The Department of Economic Development (DED) is a government organization that was instituted for the promotion of economic regulation and planning as well as governing the business sector with a set of effective policies, projects, and programs (Smart Dubai Government, 2016a). The DED was entrusted with the power to set the “economic agenda of the emirate of Dubai, UAE“ (Department of Economic Development, 2016).
This government body is interested in the transformation of the city’s economy into one that would be completely diversified, service-based, and innovation-oriented. It supports the improvement of the business environment that would be conducive to the growth of productivity and entrepreneurial potential (Department of Economic Development, 2016). The DED along with numerous agencies devises a comprehensive framework of policies and regulations aimed at contributing to the increase of the business sector. The organization provides support services to both domestic and foreign businesses that are willing to invest in the economy of Dubai.
To improve business participation as well as standards of economic operation in the city, the DED introduced the Dubai Quality Award (DQA) in 1994 (Smart Dubai Government, 2016b). Its aim was to help to increase the rate of international trade. It is considered to be one of the most significant awards for those who show excellent business practices (Smart Dubai Government, 2016b). In 2012 the DED has announced a winner of the Distinguished Government Entity in the Dubai Government Excellence Programme (Department of Economic Development, 2016).
The information provided on Smart Dubai Government website reveals that the main objectives of the DED are three-pronged: promote the city’s economic vision and develop various sectors of its economy; contribute to the creation of the positive investment environment that would attract global capital through organizing and managing business sphere “according to best practices”; deliver human, monetary and technical resources of the highest quality (2016a). According to law # 13 of 2011, the DED has the responsibility of regulation of all business operations except the free zones (Smart Dubai Government, 2016a).
The department is granted the legal power to license, vote on a classification of economic activities that are not banned within the city, and issue documents allowing marketing activities. The DED also regulates business hours in Dubai (Smart Dubai Government, 2016a). The same law specifies that the DED is responsible for the provision of a “one-window system” for issuing licenses (Smart Dubai Government, 2016a). This portal functions as the continuation of the DED’s efforts to serve its customers in the most efficient manner at all times. To this end, the department launched the system of eServices that allows checking the status of all transactions and track other data such as cost estimates (Smart Dubai Government, 2016a).
Consumer Rights and Protection
Consumer rights in Dubai are being protected by the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Economic Development (Department of Economic Development, n.d.). It also promotes fair trading in the city. According to the DED’s website, the common theme of the majority of queries that consumers directly to the Consumer Protection Division are the process of purchasing various goods and services (Department of Economic Development, n.d.).
The department serves to provide the Dubai population with essential data about the rights and responsibilities of both consumers and sellers. They also perform a basic process of dispute adjudication between selling and purchasing parties. The Consumer Protection Division regulates business activities in Dubai and conducts complaint investigations (Department of Economic Development, n.d.).
References
Department of Economic Development. (2016). About us. Web.
Department of Economic Development. (n.d.). About consumer rights. Web.
Smart Dubai Government. (2016a). Department of economic development. Web.
Smart Dubai Government. (2016b). Excellence awards in Dubai. Web.